Adjustable toe cap for roller skates



Aug. 21, 1934. K. BROWNING 1,970,542

ADJUSTABLE TOE CAP FOR ROLLER SKATES Filed Jan. 25, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l 9 79 Hu ran 112k- Aug. 21, 1934. H. K. BROWNING ADJUSTABLE TOE CAP FOR ROLLER SKATES Filed Jan. 25, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I. "1 I 4524.1"

Patented Aug. 21, 1934 TOE A For: ROLLER, v snare ADJUSTAlS E Hugh K. Browning, Trenton, J.

Application January 25,

Claims.

This invention relates to a toe cap for roller skates adapted for use as an attachment or to be incorporated into the skate initially.

It is primarily aimed to provide a cap of any 5 suitable material preferably metal, adapted through a right and left screw means to contract and expand so as to snugly fit the toe of shoes of various sizes and eliminate the possibility of the skate falling off or displacing the lg sole of the shoe.

A particular object is to provide an exceedingly simple construction relatively inexpensive, and which aside from the screw means may be stamped from a single sheet of metal or other 15 -I naterial.

' One operative embodiment is illustrated in accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a skate equipped with my improvement,

v Figure 2 is a plan view of the forward portion 4 of the skate,

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is an inverted plan View of the parts 25 of Figure 2,

' Figure 5 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 55 of Figure 2, and

Figure 6 is a cross section taken on the line 66 of Figure 2.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the invention is applied to any conventional skate such as is generally designated 10 and which employs a sole plate 11, usually of metal. Said sole plate 11 has a depending lug or yoke 12 forming an original part thereof or secured thereto as by means of a rivet extension 13. The lower end of said lug 12 is bifurcated as at 14.

The toe cap constituting the invention is designated 15 and is preferably made of metal and 40 in any desired size. This cap has a generally arcuate and inwardly curled wall 16 to surround the toe of the shoe and conform to the shape thereof. The wall 16 extends from a cut out bottom wall 17. Said wall 1'7 adjacent the front 4 has any desired number of securing fingers as at 18 and 19, said fingers being resilient, that at 18 for instance adapted to overlap the forward portion of the plate 11 while the fingers 19 underlap said plate, a resilient or clamp action ensuing. The side portions 20 of said wall 17 as best shown in Figure 6 are doubled upon themselves as at 21 with the terminals 22 extending through slots 23 and being upset above the same. As a result jaws are formed having horizontal portions 24 and vertical portions 25.

Said portions 24 have elongated slots 26 through 1934, Serial No. 708,328

which rivets or other fastenings 27 pass, to supplement the fastening at 18-19, but not to an extent interfering with sliding movement of the jaws relatively to the rivets. The vertical portions of the jaws have openings with opposite screw-threads at 28 and 29, respectively engaged with the oppositely screw-threaded portions 30 and 31 of an adjusting screw 32, having a key-engaging head 33. Intermediate the oppositely threaded portions 30 and 31, a reduced portion is provided which seats in the bifurcation 14, a groove being alforded about the reduced portion 34.

As a result of the construction described, the usual skate key may be applied to the head 33, in order to contract or expand the cap at the rear portion thereof, that is, separate or draw together the side portions 20 and wall 15 adjacent the same.

While I have shown and hereinbefore described the invention as applied to roller skates, it will be understood that it may also be used with ice skates, so that the description and} drawings must not be construed as a limitation of the application of the invention. Also the toe cap 15 may be made of material other than metal stated to be preferably used, such as leather and suitable compositions of matter of the nature of imitation leather and the like, and the cap may be lined with felt or other suitable material.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:-

1. In a device of the class described, a wall to engage the toe of a shoe, finger means extending from the base of said wall to clasp opposite surfaces of a sole plate of a skate, and means operable to contract and expand the device adjacent the rear thereof. 7

2. In a device of the class described, a wall to engage the toe of a shoe, finger means extending from the base of said wall to clasp opposite surfaces of a sole plate of a skate, means operable to contract and expand the device adjacent the rear thereof, comprising jaws on the device, and oppositely directed screw means engaging the said jaws. V

3. A cap for the purpose specified in combination with a sole plate having a depending lug and. projections'said cap having a wall to engage the toe of a shoe, L-shaped jaws extending inwardly and downwardly from said Wall adjacent the base, said jaws having slots engaged by said projections, and oppositely directed screw means upon themselves, the free ends of the portions,

extending through slots in the portions. v

5. A cap for the purpose specified in combination with a sole plate having a depending lug and projections, said cap having a wall to engage the toe of a shoe, L-shaped jaws extending inwardly and downwardly from said wall adjacent the base, said jaws having slots engaged by said projections, oppositely directed screw means threaded in said jaws in bearing engagement with said lug, said jaws comprising portions doubled upon themselves, the free ends of the portions extending'through slots-in the portions, said screw means comprising a rod having a groove and reduced portion intermediate the opposite threaded portions to engage said lugs, and rearwardly extending fingers at the base of said wall for clasp engagement with said plate.

HUGH K. BROWNING. 

